For the past 15 years, the Bandra (West) residents’ association has been maintaining the Carter Road promenade, spending more than Rs 2 lakh annually. But the residents now fear that they might have to give up on the scenic vista soon. According to an objection letter filed by the residents, the draft development plan (DP) 2034 has marked two connecting roads from the promenade to the ambitious Coastal road, which the residents fear will increase air pollution in the vicinity, lead to additional traffic snarls and destroy the promenade’s character in total.

The Carter Road promenade is located along the Arabian Sea on the west side of Bandra. It is a highly coveted area known for the coastline, restaurants, pubs and high-street stores.

According to the objection filed by residents, of the two proposed connectors, one road is about 100 yards north of the Otter’s Club which is situated in public promenade and another one from Khar Danda which is towards the end of the promenade. As areas like Otter’s Club and Jogger’s Park already invite a lot of people, the residents fear that the area will face major traffic snarls if the proposed plan is passed.

Darryl D’Monte, president of the Bandra (West) Residents association said, “Along with Carter road, the two feeder roads, which is Turner road and Perry Road will see a huge increase in traffic. The State government is also planning to remove a toll on the Coastal road, this will just give motorists more chances to cruise along the sea.”

Apart from these reasons, the residents also fear that the new roads will destroy the mangroves off Carter road, which the association has maintained in the last decade. In its letter, the association has also asked for presenting the views in person to the DP department. “Given the current emphasis on making our cities more livable by reducing air pollution, the coastal road will poison the air of Bandra by allowing vehicles to ply along the coast. This is a violation of the fundamental right of citizens to a clean environment,” D’Monte added.

The draft DP released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invited the ire of political parties, residents and activists across the city with a majority of them demanding that the plan be scrapped in total.